Played on Jan 27, 2026
Game Played in Prospera Place
General Game Notes: Vojtech Cihar had a four point night with a goal and three assist to lead the hometown Kelowna Rockets to a 5-3 victory over the Red Deer Rebels. The Rebels scored two late goals in a game that was otherwise out of reach. Also scoring for the Rockets were Eli Barrett with his first WHL goal, along with Hiroki Gojsik, Hayden Paupanekis, and Tij Iginla. Replying for the Rebels were Patrick Sopiarz with two and Nate Yellowaga.
Carson Wetsch (RW, R, 6’1″, 201, Kelowna Rockets, 05/04/2006)
Game Rating
A-
Carson Wetsch is a high-energy forward who consistently impacts play with his strong skating and puck-handling ability. He excels at driving the attack or complementing teammates, often using his speed to beat defensemen wide before cutting hard to the net. Wetsch’s physicality in front of the net, reliability on the forecheck, and diligent backchecking make him a dependable contributor. Wetsch’s playmaking skills are evident when he makes precise passes that allow his teammates to capitalize on scoring opportunities. His vision is strong, especially when reading the defense and making smart decisions under pressure. He competes hard in all areas of the game, brings a physical edge, and is often in the thick of net-front scrums.
1 Viewing
Comments: Wetsch is a hard-nosed leader for the Rockets whose impact goes well beyond the scoresheet; he set the tone in this game by standing up for a teammate and challenging a tough Rebel opponent, finishing with 13 1/2 minutes of ice time (slightly below his season average due to his five minutes in the box for his skirmish). He brings a consistently physical, high-energy game every shift, using excellent top-end speed and strong skating to pressure the forecheck, win battles, and drive the net-regularly challenging defensemen and creating chances for himself and teammates. While his finishing touch has been inconsistent this season, his compete level, leadership, and net-front presence make him a highly dependable player for the Rockets.
Vojtech Cihar (LW, L, 6’0″, 187, Kelowna Rockets, 03/29/2007)
Game Rating
A-
Cihar displays a well-rounded skillset, showcasing steady reliability in both defensive and offensive situations. He excels at reading plays, making smart decisions, and creating chances through quick movements around the puck. His skating is highly effective, allowing him to rapidly accelerate and maintain top speed while navigating through tight spaces. While Cihar shows playmaking vision and can drive transition, there are areas for improvement, such as refining his shot release and physical presence. However, he demonstrates a strong ability to battle through traffic and make plays in tough situations. His versatility and reliability make him an asset on the penalty kill and power play.
1 Viewing
Comments: Cihar is an explosive, smooth-skating playmaker with excellent top-end speed, strong puck skills and high hockey IQ; tonight he showcased those traits with three assists – including a picture-perfect late-man power play breakout feed to Paupanekis that finished with a 2-on-0 – and chipped in a short-handed goal himself. He logged just over 18 minutes (down from his usual 21+), operates as an effective puck distributor on the second power-play unit playing the flank and serves effectively as the late man on breakouts, while also being first over the boards on the team’s top penalty kill. He pursues hard on the fore-check and can be disruptive, but would benefit from applying his high-tempo game more consistently to maximize his impact.
Eli Barrett (RW, R, 5’11”, 176, Kelowna Rockets, 04/11/2008)
Game Rating
B
Eli Barrett showcases strong skating abilities, featuring explosive quickness and top-end speed that enables him to maintain separation and recover effectively in transition. He competes fiercely in physical battles and puck retrievals, leveraging his body and stick to secure possession. In possession, Barrett demonstrates poise, making calculated plays under pressure and navigating tight spaces with ease. In the defensive zone, he consistently displays sound positioning and an understanding of when to enter traffic. Effective communication on the ice allows him to identify open space and request the puck, making him a reliable option in both possession and transition phases. Overall, Barrett’s strong work ethic and skillset position him as a dependable contributor who can drive play and deliver consistent performances.
1 Viewing
Comments: Barrett is a hard-working, energetic winger who was rewarded for his persistence by burying a beautiful wrister from the top of the circle – beating the goaltender clean over the glove for his first WHL goal. He plays with relentless pressure every shift, consistently digging in on pucks, finishing checks and playing physical, providing a valuable energy boost for the Rockets. A very good skater who stays low and shows strong top-end speed, Barrett is defensively responsible with sound positional awareness and reliable coverage in his own end. He earned 11:30 of ice time in this game – well above his season average of about seven minutes – showing coaches can trust him for heavier, dependable minutes.
Jake Missura (D, R, 5’10”, 181, Red Deer Rebels, 06/07/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Missura is a dependable, stay-at-home defenseman who can eat up quality minutes for the Rebels; in this game he logged 16+ minutes and was a key contributor on the top penalty killing unit. He skates very well-showing excellent mobility and quick, direct recovery from point to point-which, combined with very good puck skills, allows him to move the puck out of danger and drive escape plays when needed. His primary focus is defensive structure: he reads play in the neutral zone, uses sound angles to slow attackers, finishes checks to the body, and closes down time and space effectively in the defensive zone. He is physical on the walls and strong in down-low coverage, throwing hard hits and winning board battles at an almost 60% clip, making him a tough, reliable defender in all situations.
Nate Yellowaga (D, L, 5’11”, 171, Red Deer Rebels, 03/09/2008, Maine)
Game Rating
B+
Nate Yellowaga has made notable strides in his hockey development, demonstrating confidence in utilizing his advanced skating and stickhandling skills to drive the attack or create scoring opportunities. His agility allows him to navigate through traffic with ease, making it challenging for defenders to contain him. In addition to his high-end skating, Yellowaga’s increased physicality on the boards adds a new layer to his game, enabling him to compete more effectively in puck battles. As a young player, Yellowaga possesses excellent upside and is positioned at the offensive blue line, where he showcases remarkable mobility. His exceptional hockey IQ and versatility make him a valuable asset, both offensively and defensively. While there are areas for improvement, such as 50/50 puck battles, Yellowaga’s overall strategic playstyle and impressive vision make him a promising young player with a bright future ahead.
1 Viewing
Comments: Yellowaga is an undersized, highly skilled defenseman whose elite mobility and skating – including very good edge work and quick feet – make him an effective puck retriever, transitional weapon and escape artist against the forecheck; he consistently transports the puck up ice and finds lanes with smart, accurate passes. In this game he logged nearly 21 minutes (second among defensemen) and served as the quarterback on the top power play, producing a highlight-reel end-to-end power play goal that showcased his quick hands (backhand-to-forehand) finishing touch. Defensively he competes hard on the walls, uses positioning and footwork to stay between his man and the net, and will push back in front of the crease when required – overall a high-IQ, dynamic two-way defender whose size is mitigated by skating, poise, and playmaking.
Kalder Varga (RW, R, 5’11”, 181, Red Deer Rebels, 06/24/2008, Denver)
Game Rating
B
Kalder Varga, a 5’11” right wing, showcases impressive skating ability with top-end speed and maneuverability. He excels at driving play through the neutral zone and to the net, consistently demonstrating a willingness to engage in battles for pucks and secure scoring chances. Varga’s stick skills are highly regarded, allowing him to control the puck with poise and make plays in tight spaces. His confidence carrying the puck has grown, but there is still room for improvement in his decision-making under pressure. While Varga contributes effectively on the power play, consistency remains a concern, particularly in terms of effort and compete level. He also requires refinement in his defensive play, specifically off-puck awareness and positioning.
1 Viewing
Comments: Varga showed why his speed is an asset in his first game back against his old team, logging over 18 minutes and using his speed on the attack and quickness to create chances by hounding pucks, joining the forecheck aggressively and finishing checks with occasional physicality; he drew an assist after a patient play behind the goal line fed a teammate in front. Offensively he makes things happen with strong manoeuvrability and acceleration, but his one-on-one puck battles are a concern-his success rate was only ~35% in this game and has trended down over the past four-and he needs to shoot more when opportunities present themselves and work to attack the middle of the ice in the offensive zone to become a more consistent threat.
Matus Lisy (D, L, 6’1″, 196, Red Deer Rebels, 06/15/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Lisy is a sturdy, left-shot defenseman with quality mobility and quick feet who logged 21+ minutes in this game, above his season, average of about 17, and plays a dependable, somewhat physical game. He shows good edge work and evasiveness – recovering quickly on retrievals and walking the offensive blue line effectively to create and release quick shots that can get through, as in one case resulting in a rebound goal for the Rebels. His first-pass and puck-management skills are reliable, making outlets with regularity and sound power-play contributor, and he posts a solid 52% battle win rate on the season. Defensively he plays tight in the neutral zone, takes away space efficiently, handles one-on-one coverage well in the defensive zone, and isn’t afraid to push back in net-front scrums, making him a dependable top-four option.
Patrick Sopiarz (LW, R, 6’0″, 196, Red Deer Rebels, 03/05/2008)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Sopiarz is a 6-foot, right-shot forward who plays bigger than his frame and brings compete and energy every shift; a good skater, though not elite, with quick feet and above-average top-end speed, he accelerates well and uses evasive movement to work and battle through traffic. He plays the game the right way-hard on the walls, willing to battle in board scrums and finish checks and is more than willing to push back-and shows reliable puck skills and a legit release, earning time on the second power-play unit where he plays on the flank. As a right shooter, he managed the left wing in this game seamlessly, he understands his strengths around the net, scoring two goals by getting into the dirty areas: one after a stick battle and quick wrister, the other by rolling off a net-front scrum and banging it home from a foot out. He logged nearly 21 minutes and is a noticeable, high-effort player who impacts the game physically and on the scoresheet.
Beckett Hamilton (RW, R, 5’11”, 177, Red Deer Rebels, 03/28/2008)
Game Rating
A-
1 Viewing
Comments: Hamilton – 5’11’ hard-working two-way forward who consistently impacts every shift with relentless compete and physicality. A strong, sturdy skater with very good top-end speed, he’s difficult to knock off the puck and uses strength and determination to win battles down low and in the corners; his defensive-zone technique is sound and he rarely gets beat. Offensively he shows good instincts and puck protection-on one sequence he protected, spun off a checker, attacked the middle and created a high-quality scoring chance for a teammate-earning time on the top power-play unit (not used on the PK). Faceoffs are an area for improvement; he was 33% in this game and sits at 45% for the season. Overall he plays with grit, physical pushback and confidence for the Rebels, consistently creating opportunities for himself and teammates simply by engaging and outworking opponents using a solid overall skill set.
Matej Mikes (C, R, 6’3″, 204, Red Deer Rebels, 02/17/2007)
Game Rating
B
1 Viewing
Comments: Mikes was notable because he’s a big, right-shot forward who skates well, has a smooth stride and the ability to maneuver and protect the puck in tight; he can make plays with good passing vision and puck skills, shows willingness to engage physically-goes to the net and finishes on the forecheck-and competes on the backcheck with solid defensive awareness. In this game he played roughly 14:30 and displayed reliable board work and playmaking ability. With that, improvement with his first-step quickness and overall explosiveness to become more dangerous in transition would go a long way for this player. Another area for development is his puck-battle effectiveness-he’s winning about 45% on the season, which is a bit low given his frame and skating ability-so increasing aggressiveness and technique on the walls would unlock more of his physical upside.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images